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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Almost 19 week update

I haven't felt like writing about my actual pregnancy in awhile, but a lot has changed so I'm ready!

Let's try bullets. Nevermind. Bullets didn't work. On to headers.

The Belly
Four people touched my belly in a period of 2 days last week. I knew this was coming, but I was still a bit surprised! Three were my husband's co-workers; two of whom I've known for a really long time (one was a dude! But he's a dad, so maybe that's why he's a belly toucher?), one I've known for about a year. The last was a total stranger at Massage Envy. I think they all asked permission which is nice and I'm not going to say no, but...not my thing.

I'm also starting to run into things with my belly. This is really strange. I'm used to easily sliding through small spaces. Today, I turned at ran my belly into the end of a sleigh bed.

I'm very obviously pregnant, but not huge. Quick story: We golfed at Pebble Beach last week. (extra aside: I cried through holes 8-12 on Day 1 and quit at hole 11 on Day 2.) Our caddy started the day by saying: "My sister-in-law is the exact same size as you. She's due in November. When are you due?" January. Thanks dude.

How I Feel
I feel SO MUCH BETTER! Starting about a week ago I realized that I can look at a food menu and order basically whatever I want. For the entire pregnancy before this, absolutely nothing sounded appetizing and at least twice I ordered something and could not take a bite. This included salad which I found odd. I still haven't tried spinach, but I'm back to all other salads.

I can also exercise more easily. I'm really only walking, but I have the energy to do it. The only problem is that the next day my hip always hurts. Still planning to get to a prenatal yoga class but it's just not happening.

But...after a marathon closet reorganization with my mom today, I completely hit a wall. Bending over and sitting on an ottoman for hours made my belly really crampy on the underside. It didn't "hurt" per se, but I literally had to stop and put my feet up for awhile to get it to stop. I hope I can make it through an entire school day!

Back Pain
I've been having some major back pain. At times I feel like my back will never not hurt throughout the remainder of this pregnancy. I feel like part of it is from side-sleeping. I've been working on different pillow options, but for the moment I know that I need something between my knees and something to support my arm. Much of the pain is in my mid-back between my shoulder blades. But I also have had some major lower back pain.

But...(until tonight after the marathon cleaning...which was still worth it), I had the best massage of my life last weekend and it totally cured my back pain. I've had a few throughout the pregnancy, but at Massage Envy you lay on your side. It feels good while you're there, but it's just not worth it - no lasting effects. The nice places have a foam pillow with a cut-out for your belly. It feels amazing to lay on your stomach. Guess I'll be getting lots more massages! I'm sure the wine I'm not drinking will pay for it : ).

Clothes
I have loved back to school shopping since I can remember. This year's back to school shopping is all-maternity (obviously), but I need a lot to make it through and I want to get it now while I still have time. If I hate what I'm wearing, I'm in a bad mood all day so I really wanted to find the pieces I need to feel like I truly have things to wear. Someone is going to get a lot of hand-me-downs when I'm done!

My summer/hot day uniform is fold-over skirts with a fitted tank or tee. All of my regular tees still fit since I'm short and they're stretchy. My fall/cold day uniform is going to be leggings with long flowy shirts and boots. (I decided this while trying not to look at my co-worker who was adorably pregnant last year.)

I got most of the shirts at a boutique that I usually shop at (cheap cute stuff!). I can wear ALL of them after my pregnancy which is awesome. They might not all fit in the last month or two, but we'll see...

And I got most of the pants at the Motherhood outlet in the Pea in the Pod section. I got 4 or 5 pairs at a HUGE discount so I've got every color/thickness covered. I also have 3 pairs of jeans that I bought at Pea in the Pod way back at 9 or 10 weeks. One designer splurge and two sale pairs.

I also got a few shirts at Target, two from Motherhood online (this was my first true online buying experience and I have to return 80% of it), and a bunch of random basics and business clothes from a good friend.

RegistryI started my registry! I'm going with Amazon because I hate the mark-ups at Babies R Us. My mom will just have to teach all of her friends how to check off items that they buy themselves. It's super easy though. Since my nephew will be 7 months by then, I'm going to be able to get a lot of stuff from my sister which is awesome. I'll post some of the bigger things I'm deciding on later. Oh my goodness it's overwhelming! But I got a fabulous link from Her Royal Fabulousness, Lucie's List. Check it out!

Nursery

I haven only the vaguest notions of what I want to do and am quite overwhelmed by it. First I need to redo the guest room to fit what is now in the office... But I know I want to put a quote on the wall. I want it to be from a book or an author if possible. I searched a ton tonight, but couldn't find anything quite right. The best at the moment is Dr. Seuss, "The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." But I would love more suggestions if you have any!

Anatomy scan is next week. I get to see little GG every other week, which I know is a luxury, but I'm still a bit anxious about the anatomy scan. Fingers crossed.

I think that was around the time I too got more energy to walk more. And I did get hip pain too. And I remember the achyness (not necessarily pain) from trying to do too much at once. That hasn't gone away at all for the rest of this pregnancy. :)

I like your idea of a quote on the wall for the baby room. I think we'll need to find some quotes and put them in frames at some point because we have wallpaper on the walls. Have you tried Shel Silverstein for poems/quotes?

#1 - I feel you on the back pain. Mine tends to subside during the day, but I cannot find a comfortable sleeping position!

#2 - That list is AMAZING! Thank you for posting the link!

#3 - I was so completely convinced we were having a girl and knew exactly what I was going to do for the nursery. Now that I found out we're having a boy, I am lost. No freaking clue what to do with the nursery!

Thanks for the link to Lucie's List looks like there is quite a bit of info. I also did my registry on Amazon, I just think the selection is better since BRU only carries certain brands. Good luck at your anatomy scan!

so glad you're doing so well!! You are so far ahead of us...I are just now at 30 weeks starting to try to fathom a registry and a space in our home for the bebe. It's so much to wrap your mind around!!

Two items of advice for the back:1. Get a wedge pillow for when you sleep on your side.2. Get a pregnancy belly strap. Yes, it will seem rediculous, but the thing totally works. You may feel like a dominatrix, but your back will love you for it!

Glad to hear things are going well for you and that you are feeling better. Thanks for the reference to the list - I'm definitely going to check that out. I did a walk through of a couple stores this weekend and was COMPLETELY overwhelmed and freaked out by all the stuff. It's a lot to take in! If you want a recommendation on a pillow of some sort for your back/shoulders, I am a big fan of my Snoogle. Target and Amazon had the best prices for it (Target had free shipping too, I think) and I've been sleeping on it for about 2 weeks now with considerably less pain. You can buy additional covers for it and, as a bonus, it can be used like a Boppy pillow after delivery for breastfeeding, etc. Just wanted to pass that along :)

I totally ran into something with my belly last week (an armrest trying to get out of a van). As for the registry - BG calls me a planner, but I'm not sure that's quite right. It's really that once something is on my mind I think about it until a decision is made. So...the registry didn't end up being too hard.

My only advice is to start with a list of things you need, rather than looking at everything other people have on their registries. That way, you won't end up with too much "stuff" you don't really want. I also found that choosing one or two boutique stores for inspiration was really helpful. They still tend to carry a range of items, but fewer options within each price bracket. (I assumed they did the hard work of limiting things down to the best options.) Good luck with your registry and with the scan next week!